The word suffer is divided into 2 syllables: suff·er. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of suffer:
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From Middle English suffren, from Anglo-Norman suffrir, from Latin sufferre (“to offer, hold up, bear, suffer”), from sub- (“up, under”) + ferō (“I carry”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to bear, carry”). Displaced native Old English þrōwian.
Understanding how to break down suffer into syllables helps with:
Compare suffer with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| suffer | 2 | suff·er |
| severe | 3 | se-ve-re |
| skiver | 2 | skiv-er |
| sapphire | 2 | sapphi-re |
| Spiro | 2 | spi-ro |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to suffer:
Sufi, suffix, Sufism, suffice, Suffolk, suffuse, sufferer, suffrage.
suffer has 2 syllables: suff·er. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: suff. This means you emphasize the "suff" part when pronouncing suffer.
suffer is pronounced as /ˈsʌfə/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: suff·er.
Breaking suffer into syllables helps with spelling: suff·er. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.
Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.